Since the end of the holiday shopping season there have been numerous announcements about the closure of retail store locations from coast to coast.

Sears, K-Mart, BeBe, Rue 21, Macy’s, JCPenney, Abercrombie and Fitch, Guess, Crocs, The Limited have all announced closings. The list continues to grow. Fifth Third, Regions, Bank of America, and other major banks too have closed branches. It would seem the closing of retail stores is attributed to online shopping.

Let your fingers do the … Googling

I find this attrition very interesting, and wonder, is there an underlying trend that will impact community banking in the same way?

After all, when was the last time you used the yellow pages or a phone book?

Need store hours or locations, just Google it!

Need a pizza? There’s an app for that!

Call a friend? Just look at recent calls on your smart phone.

Not there? Then … your contacts or ask Siri!

Looking for a product, drop the name in your browser, and see what pops up!

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All of these events just described are common everyday occurrences that represent how inextricably attached we have become to the smartphone, and the users are not just millennials … it is every age group.

Using the web-browser has become the de-facto standard today for obtaining information quickly. The devices are desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Consumers and businesses are searching and shopping with their fingers, and there seems to be no limit to what can be purchased online. Brick-and-mortar retail stores are being out-marketed by online outlets.

Where is your community going?

Banks need to realize that their marketplace is eroding around them. The footings that are holding up the community banking pillars grow weaker by the day.

And if you are not aggressively planning an online strategy today, you will soon have no lines in your drive throughs or lobbies.

Oh, did I mention, by the time you recognize this you will be out of time? Yup!

Today’s consumers and businesses are mobile in every aspect of their lives, and they are looking online, shopping online, buying online—but not standing in line. Banks need to get serious about creating an effective online presence.

Connecting is just not a web-based brochure about your bank history, ATMs, locations, and hours. (Yawn.)

Given handheld “mobility,” it takes a lot for a prospective customer to walk through your door.

Retailers are finding that out, and their doors are closing. What about yours? How long is that line in your lobby or drive through? Oh, you don’t have a line? Then get online!

Dan Fisher is president and CEO of The Copper River Group, a consulting firm headquartered in Fargo, N. D., that focuses on technology and payment systems research and consulting for community financial institutions. For nearly 30 years, Fisher has worked in the financial industry using technology to improve the bottom line. He was CIO of Community First Bankshares (now part of Bank of the West), has served as a director of the Federal Reserve Board of Minneapolis, the chairman of the American Bankers Association Payment Systems Committee, and was a member of the Independent Community Bankers of America Payments Committee. Fisher has written numerous articles on banking technology and the payments system. He has authored or co-authored six books and recently published a book titled, "Capturing Your Customer! The New Technology of Remote Deposit." You can contact Fisher at dan@copperrivergroup.com or at 701-293-6222.P.S. To understand Dan's nickname, check out "About the Wombat" on his website.